Control of vehicle functions

ABSTRACT

A method for the automated performance of vehicle functions is specified. The method includes: checking for the existence of a triggering event; if there is a triggering event, selecting a vehicle function procedure schema associated with the present triggering event; generating and outputting a signal representing the linked vehicle function procedure schema 3a, 3b, 3c to a service; generating and outputting service signals 6a, 6b, 6c based on a signal 4 representing the linked vehicle function procedure schema to control devices; designed for controlling vehicle function devices; generating and outputting control signals based on the service signals to the vehicle function devices; and performing vehicle functions 1a, 1b, 1c based on the control signals. In addition, a system for the automated performance of vehicle functions, a vehicle with such a system, a computer program, and a computer-readable medium are specified.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to German Application No. DE102020109379.9, filed Apr. 3, 2020, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many driving situations require the driver or another user of thevehicle to repeatedly activate and/or disable certain vehicle functions.An example of this is a delivery or parcel driver who has to performmultiple vehicle functions, some in a certain order, when he stops thevehicle to deliver a parcel. This can include, for example: switchingoff the vehicle engine, closing the windows, setting the “park” switchposition, activating the parking brake, turning off the ignition,opening doors, locking the vehicle, etc. Over a whole working day, itmay be necessary to repeat these activities more than a hundred times.

In general, vehicle functions already exist which are carried out atleast partially automatically under certain conditions. An example ofthis is the automatic setting of the “park” switch position in the caseof an automatic transmission as soon as the driver's door is opened.However, such triggering events, also known as triggers, and theoperations that are triggered by them are predetermined and cannot beadapted to individual needs.

In addition, certain vehicle functions or a specific procedure ofvehicle functions cannot be linked to triggering events, such as turningoff the air conditioner and increasing the radio volume when opening thetop or the sliding roof. Often, only a single vehicle function isperformed based on a single triggering event, or a complex of vehiclefunctions is performed, but this is predetermined by the manufacturer ofthe vehicle.

Against the background of ever-increasing vehicle functions, this meanseither an increase in the activities to be carried out by the driver oruser of the vehicle or an inefficient use of the available vehiclefunctions. This can lead to annoyance of the driver or user due tonumerous repetitive activities.

For example, from CN 1 03 761 462 A, a method for personalizing vehiclesettings is known, with which the adjustment of the seat position andthe rear-view mirror are linked to the voice of the driver and stored.When the driver's voice is recognized, the appropriate settings are madeautomatically, so that a manual adjustment is not required.

WO 2013/174 788 A1 describes a device for event-controlled automaticactivation and/or deactivation and/or adjustment of at least one vehiclefunction system, for example a seat heating system, a radio, etc. Thedevice has an operating interface with which the vehicle user canspecify a rule that includes at least one condition for a selectableinput variable and which in each case sets a selectable vehicle functionsystem in relation to the selectable input variable. This enablesautomated vehicle function performance based on the rules that can bespecified by the vehicle user. Optionally, a sequence of vehiclefunctions can also be linked to a rule.

US 2015/0 203 062 A1 discloses methods and systems for generating userprofiles for a vehicle and a method for managing such a user profile.Data are generated to display a selection screen of a graphical userinterface in the vehicle. Profile personalization data are thenreceived, and a user profile is created from that data, which is stored.In addition, an identification of the user is provided.

EP 3 569 464 A1 describes a method that temporarily alters acharacteristic of a vehicle feature depending on an emotional state ofthe vehicle user. There is no provision for a permanent definition ofvehicle function sequences actively designed by the vehicle user.

The performance of vehicle function procedure schemas, i.e., temporalsequences with which multiple vehicle functions are carried out, usuallyinvolves multiple control devices and actuators. This means that it mustbe known which control unit is responsible for which vehicle function.The respective control unit must then be able to capture and process thetriggering event (trigger) necessary for the performance of the vehiclefunction. In addition, any boundary conditions and prerequisites for theperformance of the vehicle function must be known.

However, the assignment of the control unit, as well as the boundaryconditions and prerequisites, may change if there is a change in theelectrical architecture, software changes of the control units, or achange in the vehicle configuration.

In other words, vehicle function procedure schemas are usuallyimplemented in a way that provides for the collection of all vehicleand/or configuration-specific information, analysis, and modifications.If the environment changes, i.e., for example the vehicle, theelectrical architecture, etc., the vehicle function procedure schemashave to be re-implemented. In addition, there may also be a change inthe triggering conditions.

SUMMARY

As described herein, it is possible to implement vehicle functionprocedure schemas universally, so that a simple change of theenvironment is possible. The present disclosure includes implementing anintermediate software level which allows a sequenced activation ofvehicle functions by means of various control devices arranged in thevehicle.

A method for the automated performance of vehicle functions includes:checking for the existence of a triggering event; if there is atriggering event, selecting a vehicle function procedure schemaassociated with this triggering event; generating and outputting asignal representing the associated vehicle function procedure schema toa service; generating and outputting service signals based on the signalrepresenting the associated vehicle function procedure schema to controldevices designed for controlling vehicle function devices; generatingand outputting control signals based on the service signals to thevehicle function devices; and performing vehicle functions based on thecontrol signals.

Performance of the method can be computer-implemented, i.e., at leastone step of the method, preferably multiple or all steps of the method,are performed using a computer program.

A vehicle may be understood as any mobile means of transport, i.e., botha land vehicle and a waterborne vehicle or an aircraft, for example apassenger car or a truck. The vehicle may be designed forsemi-autonomous or fully autonomous operation.

Vehicle functions may mean functions which the vehicle can performautomatically, i.e., without the intervention of the driver or vehicleuser, such as opening/closing of vehicle openings such as doors,windows, sliding roofs, etc., switching the ignition on/off,unlocking/locking the vehicle, switching the air conditioning on/off,reducing/increasing the volume and other settings of an infotainmentsystem, setting a specific switch position, activating/disabling theparking brake, activating/disabling driving assistance systems, settinga specific seating position, switching lighting on/off, displayingcertain contents in a display device, transmitting pre-set data to acomputer cloud, etc. The vehicle functions are carried out by means ofappropriate vehicle function devices.

A vehicle function procedure schema defines a temporal procedure withwhich the vehicle functions are performed. In other words, achronological order is determined, wherein some vehicle functions can beperformed in parallel, with a time offset relative to each other or timesequentially. In addition to a temporal procedure, a vehicle functionprocedure schema may also include conditions, loops, and user-definedsubprograms. The vehicle function procedure schema may be determined bya user, wherein the user may be a vehicle driver, a vehicle owner, aservice technician, a fleet manager, or another authorized person, forexample.

Each vehicle function procedure schema has an associated triggeringevent that initiates the associated procedure when it occurs. Atriggering event may also be associated with multiple vehicle functionprocedure schemas and therefore may initiate the procedure of multiplevehicle function procedure schemas.

In a simple case, the triggering event can be operating a button or aswitch. Other triggering events can be based on speech input, i.e., thetriggering event is the reception of a specific spoken word, phrase,sentence, etc. Furthermore, there is the possibility that the triggeringevent represents reaching a certain geographical position or a certaingeographical area, which can be detected by means of a global navigationsatellite system, for example.

To check for the presence of a triggering event, one or more inputvariables can be monitored, for example vehicle speed, time,temperature, humidity, etc. Appropriately designed sensors can be usedfor this purpose. These input variables are user-independent, so theirvalue is not directly affected by the user. It is therefore possible toperform the vehicle function procedure schemas completely automatically.In addition, it may also be possible to provide user-dependent inputvariables, for example a position of a button or switch, which can beoperated by the user.

In a simple embodiment, an input value of an input variable isdetermined and compared with a threshold value. For example, the currentoutdoor temperature can be measured and compared with a maximum orminimum temperature. If the threshold value is reached, exceeded, or notreached, this represents the occurrence of the triggering event and thevehicle function schema associated with the triggering event isperformed.

In further embodiments, input values of multiple input variables can bedetermined and compared with related threshold values. The triggeringevent can be considered to have occurred when a certain fixedcombination of threshold values is reached, exceeded, or not reached. Inaddition, further conditions may be examined, the fulfilment of which isa prerequisite for the occurrence or existence of the triggering event.For example, it may be provided as a basic prerequisite that the vehicleengine is in a switched on state.

Checking for the existence of a triggering event may be carried out bymeans of a control unit comprising means for checking for the existenceof a triggering event. The control unit may be realized in hardwareand/or software and may be physically formed as a single part ormultiple parts. The control unit may be part of or integrated into anengine controller and arranged in the vehicle. Alternatively, thecontrol unit may be located outside the vehicle, for example in acomputer cloud.

If the existence of a triggering event is determined, a selection of avehicle function procedure schema associated with the present triggeringevent is made. This can also be performed by means of the control unit,which accordingly also includes means for selecting a vehicle functionprocedure schema associated with the present triggering event.

For example, to select a vehicle function procedure schema, vehiclefunction procedure schemas stored in a memory unit can be accessed. Sucha memory unit therefore has means for storing vehicle function procedureschemas. The saving can be done, for example, by means of a mediumsuitable for storing, for example a non-volatile memory, a DVD, a USBstick, a flashcard, or the like. The memory unit may be part of acontrol unit, for example an engine controller, or integrated into acontrol unit and arranged in the vehicle. Alternatively, the memory unitmay be located outside the vehicle, for example in a computer cloud.

In a further step, a signal is generated and output which represents thevehicle function procedure schema associated with the triggering event.This signal is generated based on instructions or code programmed in thecontrol unit according to one or more routines.

The signal representing the vehicle function procedure schema is outputto a service.

A service can be understood as an independent unit that bundles relatedfunctionalities into a topic complex and provides them via a definedinterface. In the context of the present method, the service abstractsvehicle-specific hardware and/or software properties for generating andoutputting the control signals to the vehicle function devices. In otherwords, the service represents a level of abstraction that encapsulatestechnical details of the subsequent steps of the method and the relatednecessary devices and connects them to the control unit via a defined,for example standardized, interface.

Advantageously, the defined interface is immutable, i.e., it alwaysremains the same, regardless of any changes to the subsequent hardwareand/or software properties.

The service generates service signals based on the signal representingthe linked vehicle function procedure schema and outputs these servicesignals to control devices designed to control vehicle function devices.For this purpose, the service includes means for generating andoutputting service signals to control devices designed for controllingvehicle function devices based on the signal representing the linkedvehicle function procedure schema.

Based on the service signals, control signals are then generated andoutput to the vehicle function devices. For this purpose, the controldevices include means for generating and outputting control signals tovehicle function devices based on the service signals.

In a final process step, the vehicle functions defined by the vehiclefunction procedure schema are performed based on the control signals.For this purpose, vehicle function devices are used as actuators, whichinclude means for the performance of vehicle functions based on thecontrol signals.

An architecture is therefore described in which access to the controldevices and the vehicle functional devices controlled by them isprovided by the service. The user of this service, i.e., the controlunit, requests vehicle functions according to the vehicle functionprocedure schema via the generic interface and therefore does not needto know details of the implementation after the interface, i.e., aboutwhich control device controls which actuator, for example.

This advantageously enables a simplified definition of vehicle functionprocedure schemas since they do not have to deal with implementationdetails. Vehicle function procedure schemas can also be easilytransmitted from one vehicle to another. This means that theimplementation is universal, so that a simple change of the environmentis possible.

According to different examples, the service signals can be CAN signals.

For this purpose, the service, the control devices, and the vehiclefunction devices can be integrated into a CAN bus system (CAN,controller area network). Such a bus system is characterized by a lowcabling cost, short signal paths and high reliability.

Another aspect concerns a system for the automated performance ofvehicle functions. The system has: a control unit, comprising means forchecking for the existence of a triggering event, selecting a vehiclefunction procedure schema associated with the present triggering event,and generating and outputting a signal representing the linked vehiclefunction procedure schema to a service; a service, comprising means ofgenerating and outputting service signals to control devices designed tocontrol vehicle function devices based on the signal representing thelinked vehicle function procedure schema; control units, comprisingmeans for generating and outputting control signals to vehicle functiondevices based on the service signals, and vehicle function devices,comprising means for performing vehicle functions based on the controlsignals.

The control unit and the service, the service, and the control devices,as well as the control devices and the vehicle function devices, are ina respective working signaling connection in each case in order toenable data and/or signal exchange. The respective working signalingconnection may be wireless or wired.

For example, the system may be suitable for performing the above methodfor the automated performance of vehicle functions. The system cantherefore also achieve the advantages of the method. All explanationsconcerning the method can be transferred to the system in the same way.

The system as a whole, i.e., all units, devices, the service, etc., canbe arranged in the vehicle with or in which vehicle functions are to beperformed. This advantageously allows the independent use of the systemfor a particular vehicle, since communication between the individualunits, devices, the service, etc. is only necessary within the vehicle.

Alternatively, one or more or all units, devices, the service, etc. ofthe system may be located outside the vehicle. For example, the controlunit and service may be arranged outside the vehicle, while the controldevices and vehicle function devices may be located inside the vehicle.This enables, for example, the use of vehicle function procedure schemasby multiple vehicles. It is not necessary to equip each vehicle with allthe equipment of the system, but it is sufficient. This could save costsand simplify the management, maintenance, servicing, etc. of the systemdue to at least partial centralization.

According to different examples, the service can abstractvehicle-specific hardware and/or software properties for generating andoutputting the control signals.

According to further examples, the service signals can be CAN signals.

Another aspect concerns a vehicle with a system according to thedescription above.

Consequently, all the explanations relating to the system and the methodthat can be carried out can be transferred analogously to the vehicle.The advantages of the system can also be achieved with the vehicle.

Another concerns a computer program that includes commands that cause asystem according to the above description to perform a method accordingto the above description.

Thus, the advantages of the system and the method are also achieved withthe computer program. All explanations concerning the system and theprocedure can be analogously transferred to the computer program.

A computer program can be understood as a program code that can bestored on a suitable medium and/or can be retrieved via a suitablemedium. Any medium suitable for storing software, such as a non-volatilememory installed in a control unit, a DVD, a USB stick, a flashcard, orthe like, can be used to store the program code. For example, theprogram code can be accessed over the Internet or an intranet, or overanother suitable wireless or wired network.

Another aspect concerns a computer-readable medium on which the computerprogram is stored.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

Further explanation is provided in more detail below on the basis of theillustrations and the corresponding description. In the figures:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary system;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary vehicle; and

FIG. 3 shows a procedure schema of an exemplary method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system 10 for the automated performance ofvehicle functions 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, wherein the vehicle functions 1 a, 1 b,1 c and their temporal procedure are specified by a vehicle functionprocedure schema 3 a, 3 b, 3 c.

The system 10 comprises a control unit 11 with means for checking forthe existence of a triggering event 2 and selecting a vehicle functionprocedure schema 3 a, 3 b, 3 c associated with the present triggeringevent 2. For this purpose, the control unit 11 has a working signalingconnection with a memory unit 12, characterized in FIG. 1 by a doublearrow. The memory unit 12 stores multiple vehicle function procedureschemas 3 a, 3 b, 3 c, etc.

For example, a vehicle procedure function schema 3 a can be selected inwhich the following vehicle functions 1 a, 1 b, 1 c, etc. are performedby the corresponding vehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, etc.:switching off the vehicle engine, closing the windows, setting the“park” switch position, activating the parking brake, switching off theignition, opening doors, locking the vehicle. Such a vehicle procedurefunction schema 3 a can be used, for example, by a parcel driver, sothat the driver does not have to carry out the mentioned operationsindividually and repeatedly. In this case, reaching a certainspecifiable geographic location can be used as the triggering event 2,for example the location at which the parcel should be delivered. Thisallows a completely automatic procedure of the vehicle procedurefunction schema 3 a, since reaching the geographical position can becaptured by means of a sensor 15 and detected accordingly.Alternatively, for example, the operation of a button can be provided.The operation of the button constitutes the triggering event 2 in thiscase.

Furthermore, the control unit 11 comprises means for generating andoutputting a signal 4 representing the linked vehicle function procedureschema 3 a, 3 b, 3 c to a service 5.

The service 5 comprises means for generating and outputting servicesignals 6 a, 6 b, 6 c to control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c designed tocontrol vehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c based on the signal 4representing the linked vehicle function procedure schema 3 a, 3 b, 3 c.In the exemplary embodiment, the service, the control devices, and thevehicle function devices are integrated into a CAN bus system.Consequently, the service signals 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are CAN signals.

The system 10 also comprises control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c with meansfor generating and outputting control signals 8 a, 8 b, 8 c to vehiclefunction devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c based on the service signals 6 a, 6 b, 6c, as well as vehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c with means forperforming vehicle functions 1 a, 1 b, 1 c based on the control signals8 a, 8 b, 8 c. Here, the vehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c areactuators for performing the vehicle functions 1 a, 1 b, 1 c. Vehiclefunction devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c may be, for example, a device for closingthe windows, a device for activating the parking brake and a device forlocking the vehicle 13.

In the exemplary embodiment, the control unit 11 and the memory unit 12are arranged outside the vehicle 13, the vehicle functions 1 a, 1 b, 1 cof which are to be performed automatically. For example, the controlunit 11 and the memory unit 12 may be arranged in a computer cloud andmay be connected to the vehicle 13 by radio transmission. The service 5,the control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c and the vehicle function devices 9 a,9 b, 9 c are arranged in the vehicle 13, however.

The control unit 11 and the memory unit 12 can be operated centrally, sothat communication with multiple vehicles is possible. In other words, acentralized control unit 11 and a centralized memory unit 12 cancommunicate with multiple services 5 of different vehicles 13. Thisenables a cost-effective and effective performance of vehicle functions1 a, 1 b, 1 c of multiple vehicles 13. In addition, such a design allowssimplified fleet management, since for example vehicle functionprocedure schemas 3 a, 3 b, 3 c can be specified centrally for multiplevehicles 13 and separate storage in each vehicle 13 is not required.

The service 5 abstracts vehicle-specific hardware and/or softwareproperties which are relevant for the subsequent generation and outputof control signals 8 a, 8 b, 8 c. Consequently, the service 5 providesan interface for the communication of the control unit 11 with thedevices arranged in the vehicle 13. Due to the control unit 11communicating directly only with the service 5, but not with theindividual control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c, changes to the control devices7 a, 7 b, 7 c and/or to the vehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c canbe carried out simply without changes in the communication betweencontrol unit 11 and service 5. Advantageously, the control unit 11 canalso be used for the automated performance of vehicle functions 1 a, 1b, 1 c of different vehicles 13.

Even though the system 10 shown in FIG. 1 has three control devices 7 a,7 b, 7 c and three vehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c, the inventionis not limited to this number and there may nevertheless be more orfewer control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c and/or vehicle function devices 9 a,9 b, 9 c. In addition, the number of control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c andvehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c does not necessarily have tomatch. For example, a control device 7 a, 7 b, 7 c may also be designedfor transmitting control signals 8 a, 8 b, 8 c to multiple vehiclefunction devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary vehicle 13 with a system 10 for the automatedperformance of vehicle functions 1 a, 1 b, 1 c. The vehicle 13 may bedesigned as a passenger car, for example. FIG. 2 shows that the service5, the control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c and the vehicle function devices 9a, 9 b, 9 c are located within the vehicle 13, while the control unit 11and the memory unit 12 are located outside the vehicle 13.

In addition to devices of the system 10, the vehicle 13 has a sensor 14,with which a property, for example a temperature, the operation of abutton, reaching a certain geographical position, etc., can be detectedand which can transmit a sensor signal 15 to the control unit 11. Byevaluating the sensor signal 15, the control unit 11 determines whethera triggering event 2 is present or not. For a further explanation of thesystem 10, reference is made to the explanations relating to FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a procedure schema of an exemplary method for the automatedperformance of vehicle functions 1 a, 1 b, 1 c. After the start of themethod, whether a triggering event 2 is present is checked for in stepS1 by means of the control unit 11. If this is not the case, theexistence of a triggering event 2 will continue to be checked for.

If the control unit 11 determines the existence of a triggering event 2,the method proceeds to step S2. In step S2, a vehicle function procedureschema 3 a, 3 b, 3 c associated with the triggering event 2 is selectedand retrieved from the memory unit 12.

In step S3, based on this vehicle function procedure schema 3 a, 3 b, 3c a signal 4 is generated by the control unit 11 and output to theservice 5. In step S4, the service 5 generates service signals 6 a, 6 b,6 c and outputs these to the control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c.

In step S5, the respective control devices 7 a, 7 b, 7 c generatecontrol signals 8 a, 8 b, 8 c and output these to vehicle functiondevices 9 a, 9 b 9 c. Finally, in step S6, the vehicle functions 1 a, 1b, 1 c are performed by the vehicle function devices 9 a, 9 b, 9 c.

REFERENCE CHARACTER LIST

-   1 a, 1 b, 1 c Vehicle function-   2 Triggering event-   3 a, 3 b, 3 c Vehicle function procedure schema-   4 Signal representing a vehicle function procedure schema-   5 Service-   6 a, 6 b, 6 c Service signal-   7 a, 7 b, 7 c Control device-   8 a, 8 b, 8 c Control signals-   9 a, 9 b, 9 c Vehicle function device-   10 System-   11 Control unit-   12 Memory unit-   13 Vehicle-   14 Sensor-   15 Sensor signal-   S1-S6 Steps of the method.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: upon determining atriggering event in a vehicle, selecting a vehicle function procedureschema that defines a sequence for carrying out a plurality of vehiclefunctions and that is associated with the triggering event; generatingand outputting a signal linking the selected vehicle function procedureschema to a service that abstracts vehicle-specific hardware and/orsoftware properties for generating and outputting the control signals tovehicle function devices; generating and outputting service signals,based on the signal linking the selected vehicle function procedureschema to a service, to control devices that control the vehiclefunction devices; generating and outputting control signals based on theservice signals to the vehicle function devices; and performing vehiclefunctions based on the control signals.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the service abstracts vehicle-specific hardware or softwareproperties for generating and outputting the control signals.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the service signals are CAN signals.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the vehicle function procedure includes atleast one of switching off a vehicle engine, closing windows, setting a“park” switch position, activating a parking brake, switching off anignition, opening doors, or locking the vehicle.
 5. The method of claim1, wherein the vehicle function devices include at least one of a devicefor closing windows, a device for activating a parking brake, or adevice for locking the vehicle.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thetriggering event includes reaching a specified geographic location. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein the triggering event includes a userinput.
 8. A computing device comprising a processor and a memory, thememory including instructions executable by the processor to: upondetermining a triggering event in a vehicle, select a vehicle functionprocedure schema that defines a sequence for carrying out a plurality ofvehicle functions and that is associated with the triggering event;generate and output a signal linking the selected vehicle functionprocedure schema to a service that abstracts vehicle-specific hardwareand/or software properties for generating and outputting the controlsignals to vehicle function devices; generate and output servicesignals, based on the signal linking the selected vehicle functionprocedure schema to a service, to control devices that control vehiclefunction devices; generate and output control signals based on theservice signals to the vehicle function devices to perform vehiclefunctions based on the control signals.
 9. The computing device of claim8, wherein the service abstracts vehicle-specific hardware or softwareproperties for generating and outputting the control signals.
 10. Thecomputing device of claim 8, wherein the service signals are CANsignals.
 11. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the vehiclefunction procedure includes at least one of switching off a vehicleengine, closing windows, setting a “park” switch position, activating aparking brake, switching off an ignition, opening doors, or locking thevehicle.
 12. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the vehiclefunction devices include at least one of a device for closing windows, adevice for activating a parking brake, or a device for locking thevehicle.
 13. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the triggeringevent includes reaching a specified geographic location.
 14. Thecomputing device of claim 8, wherein the triggering event includes auser input.
 15. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the computingdevice is located outside of the vehicle.
 16. The computing device ofclaim 8, wherein the vehicle is one of a plurality of vehiclescontrolled by the computing device.